Donald “Don” W. Boyd, Jr., 98, of Buffalo, NY passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021. Mr. Boyd was born on Feb. 7, 1923 to Donald W. Boyd Sr. and Nan S. Boyd (nee Smith) and raised in Amherst. He attended Amherst High School and graduated in 1943 from Colgate University (A.E).
Born of “The Greatest Generation,” Mr. Boyd served in WWII, active duty from 1944- 1946. He served as U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade, Supply and Disbursing Officer, USS Barnett (APA 5), a transport in the Pacific.
Following war service, he worked in public relations at Champlain College and Clarkson College. While at Clarkson he was credited with renaming the athletic teams “the Golden Knights.”
Returning to Buffalo in 1952, he worked at Canisius College. Boyd left in 1963 to establish his own firm, Professional Program Management Inc., involved in the management of associations, tradeshows and trade publications.
Raising his family in North Buffalo, Mr. Boyd dedicated his time to countless organizations including leadership roles: the Kiwanis Club of North Buffalo; Hertel-North Buffalo Business Association and the North Buffalo Business Development Association. Active in St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church and School, he was a former director of the Holy Name Society and later co-founder and co-chairman of first Lion Heart Auction.
He was also active in Boy and Girl Scouting and was Scoutmaster, district commissioner (BSA) and board member of the Girl Scout Council. Well over 200 youth benefited from his Scouting leadership. He earned Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow as a Scout and district award of merit as an adult Scout.
Mr. Boyd also served on the boards of Junior Achievement of WNY, Crisis Services, Food Shuttle of WNY, Tip Club of Buffalo and many more.
A 1993 recipient of the prestigious J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, his nominators wrote “The tremendous community-wide impact Don has had is nearly immeasurable.” Further mentioning “his hands-on style and boundless commitment has enriched the lives of countless others and inspires others to be their best.”
As an avid collector of antiques, he was co-managing partner of the former Courtyard Antique Center in Clarence. Among his collections were old typewriters, one of which he still used today to type notes to family and friends.
In 2007, Don and his wife Winnie moved into Rock Oak Estates in Clarence where he served as director of the Rock Oak Homeowners Association.
While leading the Clarence Hollow Association for 10-plus years, he rallied businesses and residents alike to be involved in the Clarence Hollow Community. He was instrumental in the founding of the Clarence Hollow Farmers’ Market. Don began a movement for the restoration and development of the Town Park Club House as a historic site. He was also a member of The Clarence American Legion Post #838.
Active in the WNY Railway Historical Society since 1980, he was recently honored for years of service in leading fundraising projects for the Lehigh Valley Historic site including restoration of the depot in Williamsville.
As a resident of The Amberleigh, he established the Amberleigh Learning Academy, where since 2015 he hosted a weekly speaker series for residents.
Why so many volunteer organizations? He summed it up in this statement: “I volunteer because I can, because God granted me the desire, strength, knowledge, resources and opportunity to do so. I volunteer in the hope that it will inspire others to do the same. I volunteer because it fills a space in my life that money, possessions, titles and awards have never been able to do. I volunteer because each day on this Earth is a gift, and the least I can do is to give back in return.” As friends said, “Western New York is richer for having Don Boyd as one of its own.”
Mr. Boyd is survived by his wife, Winifred G. Boyd; and three children, Donald W. Boyd III (Karen), Nancy Boyd Haley and Geoffrey G. Boyd (Cheryl); five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15 at Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home, Inc, 5541 Main St., Williamsville followed by a Memorial Service.
